Survival Guide for the Reincarnated - Chapter 95

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 95

 

So many things had happened during the past two weeks.

 

There was no one among martial artists who didn’t know what advancing in realm meant.

 

It was something that couldn’t be bought with gold, silver, or treasures, or even with power, but rumors spread that it was possible by playing Go against Seol Woon-hwi.

 

In a situation where people were already flocking, when three people actually managed to elevate their realms, the crowd became impossible to control.

 

Among them were riffraff, but there were also those who weren’t.

 

It couldn’t be helped.

 

The number of people who visited Yang-ryeong in a single day now reached hundreds.

 

Don’t be mistaken.

 

Hundreds were those who came to play Go, but including their attendants, it reached thousands.

 

Yang-ryeong was prosperous with unexpected crowds, but the branch members of Yang-ryeong Branch and Manager Seong were having a hellish time.

 

Just how long would they have to repeat this?

 

Woon-hwi knew this too, so he had thought of his own solution.

 

First, among the people who flocked to Yang-ryeong, they would play Go among themselves, and only the last two remaining could play Go with Woon-hwi. Second, he would absolutely not play any other games. In other words, the number of times Woon-hwi played Go in a day was only twice. And third.

 

In some ways, this was the most important.

 

Everyone could watch those two games of Go.

 

Just like now.

 

Hundreds of gazes focused on one place.

 

The man sitting across from Woon-hwi was Jang Mu-jin, the Hermit Swordsman from Gol-o Mountain, famous as a training ground for demonic arts.

 

He was a master of the Body Establishment Boundary and also famous as one of the finest Go players in the Central Plains.

 

Woon-hwi looked at the white stones and spoke.

 

“So many people have gathered here again today.”

 

“Isn’t that natural? The game record of your match with Geum Do-gi-hyeop has now become legendary. To be honest, I was somewhat skeptical until I faced you directly…”

 

Jang Mu-jin’s gaze met Woon-hwi’s eyes directly.

 

“…You are extraordinary. And after directly witnessing your game with the Jade Sword Immortal Ha Mu-jin a few days ago, I became certain. You are a genius of all ages.”

 

Most of those around nodded at those words.

 

Woon-hwi smiled faintly.

 

“Excessive praise makes even bears dance, but unfortunately I have no talent for dancing. Instead, I’ll express my feelings through Go.”

 

“I look forward to it.”

 

Jang Mu-jin placed down a black stone, and immediately Woon-hwi placed a white stone.

 

The first move was nothing special.

 

The two men began playing Go in silence.

 

Black stones and white stones were placed on the Go board.

 

Then, at some moment, Jang Mu-jin’s eyes wavered at the white stone Woon-hwi placed.

 

The massive territory he had carefully built in the upper right corner was in danger.

 

‘This is…’

 

Jang Mu-jin looked at his group of black stones.

 

It was a formation like a massive fortress wall he had built up. But Woon-hwi’s single white stone had penetrated through that gap.

 

It wasn’t a joke – he hadn’t even been aware of it.

 

When exactly?

 

And a bit later, exclamations burst out from the surroundings too.

 

“Huh…”

 

“That move is…”

 

“How could he think of such a thing…”

 

Jang Mu-jin’s expression became serious.

 

Now he could see it.

 

Woon-hwi’s opening that started from the lower left corner was creating a massive flow that extended through the center all the way to the upper right corner.

 

Until now, all the moves had looked ordinary on the surface, but from the moment a few stones were placed, they became a flow.

 

This was depth.

 

It was far too deep.

 

Woon-hwi’s white stones moved as if they were alive, and each movement seemed to contain the principles of heaven and earth.

 

Jang Mu-jin muttered.

 

“The movement of the white stones… it’s as if they’re reading heaven and earth.”

 

He raised his head.

 

Woon-hwi’s smile remained unchanged.

 

Indeed.

 

A genius of all ages.

 

Jang Mu-jin began placing stones, and a tremendous tension began flowing through the Great Hall.

 

Hundreds of gazes were focused on the Go board, and not even breathing could be heard each time a stone was placed.

 

Woon-hwi’s white stone settled down once more.

 

It looked like an ordinary move on the surface, but once again, its depth was something no one could easily fathom.

 

“This is…”

 

Jang Mu-jin’s expression hardened. The situation created by Woon-hwi’s move was only now beginning to show itself.

 

“That move is…”

 

Someone from behind let out an exclamation.

 

“A move made by looking five moves ahead! With that single move, all the black stones in the upper right corner will die!”

 

Even at words that were almost at the level of interference, Jang Mu-jin silently picked up his black stone.

 

For over thirty years, he had played Go with countless masters. But this kind of Go was a first.

 

Woon-hwi’s white stone moved once again. This time toward the center. That single move poured down like a waterfall, pressing Jang Mu-jin’s black stones. The pressure that started from the upper right corner was now extending to the center.

 

“Now I can see it.”

 

Woon-hwi spoke.

 

“What you seek to gain through Go, senior.”

 

“I am…”

 

Jang Mu-jin looked at his black stones.

 

“…I wanted to gain enlightenment. The path from Body Establishment Boundary to Divine Transformation Realm…”

 

“Then there’s something I’d like to ask you.”

 

“What is that?”

 

“What do you think Go is, senior?”

 

At Woon-hwi’s question that echoed through the Great Hall, Jang Mu-jin fell into thought for a moment.

 

Then he looked at the Go board placed before him.

 

The sight of his massive group of black stones being captured one by one seemed like his own past days.

 

“Go is… two people placing stones and competing.”

 

“Then what are we doing right now?”

 

Woon-hwi’s white stone settled down once more. This time toward the lower right corner.

 

That single move seemed to split heaven and earth. It was blocking even Jang Mu-jin’s last path to life.

 

“We are…”

 

Jang Mu-jin’s eyes wavered. He seemed to realize something at last.

 

“We’re not simply placing stones.”

 

“Yes. We are now discussing the principles of heaven and earth. You seek enlightenment, senior, but does that enlightenment truly come from Go?”

 

The hundreds of martial artists gathered in the Great Hall held their breath. Each of Woon-hwi’s words penetrated deep into their hearts.

 

“Enlightenment doesn’t come from Go. Go is merely a mirror. A mirror that reflects our hearts. It’s said that a virtuous person is not lonely and surely has neighbors, so don’t black and white also become Go by having each other?”

 

Woon-hwi’s white stone found its final position.

 

“Harmonizing while acknowledging differences – I believe that is the beginning of the Way. Look at your black stones now, senior. And look at my white stones. Does this appear to be a simple fight between stones?”

 

Jang Mu-jin’s eyes widened greatly. Something began resonating within him.

 

“Now I can see…”

 

His voice trembled.

 

“I’ve been trying to find enlightenment in Go all this time, but it was within me…”

 

“That’s right.”

 

Woon-hwi’s voice echoed through the Great Hall.

 

“On this Go board, there are black and white stones. They surround each other, trying to capture one another, but within that lies a deeper meaning. This is like the appearance of our Murim.”

 

Hundreds of martial artists held their breath and listened to Woon-hwi’s words.

 

“Martial artists sometimes become enemies, and sometimes become comrades. But at the root of all that, there must be the Way . Just like this Go board.”

 

Tears flowed from Jang Mu-jin’s eyes.

 

It seemed like he could hear something bursting within his inner self. The door to the Divine Transformation Realm was opening.

 

“Now I truly understand…”

 

Jang Mu-jin’s voice trembled.

 

“Baduk was merely the beginning… True enlightenment is…”

 

Jang Mu-jin put down his stone and immediately sat in lotus position.

 

An enormous amount of internal energy began flowing from his body, and all the spectators stepped back three or four paces.

 

This was the moment when a man was about to ascend to the Divine Transformation Realm.

 

Everyone wore blank expressions at this unbelievable, truly incredible situation, and someone burst out in exclamation, but only Woon-hwi remained unchanged.

 

He silently placed down a white stone.

 

Jang Mu-jin was no longer in a situation where he could continue playing, but even if he started placing stones again, nothing would change.

 

A difference of thirteen and a half points.

 

It was Woon-hwi’s victory.

 

* * *

 

Woon-hwi slowly rose from his seat. The gazes of hundreds of people still gathered in the Great Hall focused on his movement.

 

“A martial artist is attempting to achieve a breakthrough in realm.”

 

His voice was calm.

 

“In such moments, peaceful energy is needed, so I ask everyone to quietly withdraw.”

 

Someone started to speak but stopped.

 

Another person wore an expression full of regret.

 

But no one defied Woon-hwi’s words.

 

The martial artists began rising from their seats one by one.

 

That’s when it happened.

 

“Lord.”

 

Ju So-ah’s voice was heard. She approached with quick steps, holding a letter.

 

“…It’s a letter from the Main Palace.”

 

Since there were so many people watching, her attempt to speak with gravity looked endlessly awkward, but Woon-hwi didn’t mind.

 

He silently received the letter and unfolded it.

 

–

 

Youngest.

 

I heard rumors that you’re accomplishing great things in Yang-ryeong.

 

I didn’t know our youngest would become this remarkable… You know me.

 

I don’t usually write letters like this.

 

The thing is, I need your help.

 

Second brother made a big mistake related to ‘that matter’ he discussed in the meeting back then.

 

You’ll understand. I’m talking about that accident at Ice White Gorge.

 

At first it was a small wound on his arm, but now even the physicians have given up.

 

When you have time, could you come and take a look?

 

If time permits, I really hope you’ll come.

 

Even though that guy is annoying, he can’t die like this.

 

–

 

Woon-hwi’s expression changed subtly.

 

Manager Seong, who didn’t miss this, asked.

 

“Young Master…? Are you alright?”

 

“I’m not alright.”

 

At those words, Manager Seong blinked.

 

But it was true.

 

This was truly not an alright situation.

 

The contents written in the letter might not allow outsiders to grasp the exact situation, but Woon-hwi was different.

 

First, the second son Seol Mu-ryun was critically ill.

 

It was an unexpected event, and such a thing couldn’t happen at this time.

 

But looking at the contents, there was a reasonable explanation.

 

The meeting, Ice White Gorge.

 

Just these two things were enough to understand.

 

Not long ago, Poison Snake Valley had infiltrated Snow Mountain to create poison.

 

And Woon-hwi had pointed this out, and the Polar Descendants except for Woon-hwi had gone with the White Command Guard to eliminate them.

 

In that process, Woon-hwi had specified the conditions for places where they might be hiding, and they were hiding in Ice White Gorge where the second son Seol Mu-ryun had gone.

 

Who was Seol Mu-ryun?

 

First, he was a genius comparable to the eldest, Seol Ho-ryeong. And he was obsessed with training.

 

He who was obsessed with raising his realm wouldn’t leave the ‘Thousand Year Poison Snake’ at Ice White Gorge alone.

 

Naturally, it was truly a snake that had lived for a thousand years, needless to say. This couldn’t be an ordinary animal. This was a spiritual creature.

 

Even consuming a snake that lived five hundred years would grant the effect of Heavenly Poison Immunity, so a thousand years was beyond words.

 

The human who was supposed to die about a year and a half later in his previous life was now about to die immediately.

 

Why Seol Yeon-hwa had sent this letter to Woon-hwi was clear.

 

Because Woon-hwi was the first to point out Poison Snake Valley’s infiltration, and Woon-hwi had also informed them of the existence of Ice Snow Erosion Poison.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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